Judges trying to decide on the country’s best museum were given a tour of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park this week.

The West Bretton venue is one of six finalists in the running for the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2014.

The judges in the Underground Gallery. Picture Scott Merrylees SM1003/62e

And the judges to viewed the park’s open-air gallery and its grounds ahead of announcing the winner next month.

YSP was chosen as a finalist by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Art Fund director Stephen Deuchar.

Peter Murray, YSP’s founder and executive director, said: “We are more than delighted to be recognised as one of the best museums and galleries in this country.

“It is a great testament to the commitment and determination of everyone who has worked hard to help establish our international reputation.

“We are up against some really strong competition, but we are confident that what we have at YSP is rare, providing an unparalleled experience for our visitors, which makes us a serious contender.”

Stephen Deuchar, said: “Yorkshire Sculpture Park come rain, sun or snow – though thankfully we had an abundance of sun – is a truly remarkable place.

“We were so impressed by the harmony of art and landscape, the creative team and the ambitious exhibition programme.”

The gallery is up against the Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft in East Sussex; Hayward Gallery in London; The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth; the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich; and Tate Britain in London.

Judges Sally Bacon, director of the Clore Duffield Foundation; Michael Craig-Martin RA, artist; Wim Pijbes director of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; and Anna Somers Cocks, chief executive of The Art Newspaper, will pick a winner having visited each of the museums.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 9 at an awards ceremony at the National Gallery, London.

The museum who takes the top spot will receive an award of £100,000 to support its work showcasing art to wider audiences.

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